Jesus the Redeemer

Coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. Luke 2:38

Anna arrives at the temple as Simeon is bearing witness about Jesus to Mary and to Joseph. The Holy Spirit reveals to Anna that this is indeed the One for whom she has been looking and praying.

So Anna begins to give thanks. She lifts her voice in praise and adoration. As she does, there is one word that presses into her mind and her heart, and it becomes her distinctive witness to Jesus.

Elizabeth had proclaimed Jesus as Lord. The shepherds had proclaimed him as Savior. Simeon knew Jesus was the Christ. Now Anna speaks of him as the Redeemer.

Redemption is a great Bible word that every Christian should know and be able to explain.

Redeem: Buying back through the payment of a price.

Redeemer: One who pays the price.

Redeemed: Animals, property, or people brought under new ownership by paying a price.

As a devout woman who had walked with God for eighty-four years, Anna would have known well what the Scriptures said about the Redeemer. The price of this great purchase is not revealed until the New Testament, but the entire Old Testament story is about God redeeming his own people.

The great purpose of God is to gather a people from every tribe and nation who will love him, worship him, glorify him, and enjoy him forever. He began with one man, Abraham, and one nation from his line. It was through them that the Redeemer came into the world—and through him, God offers redemption to all people.

Colin Smith is the Senior Pastor of The Orchard Evangelical Free Church in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. He has authored a number of books, including Heaven, How I Got Here and Heaven, So Near - So Far. Colin is the President and Teacher for Unlocking the Bible. Follow him on Twitter.

Explore this topic further

“No one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” Matthew 11:27 (NIV) Jesus doesn’t have to reveal the Father to anyone. Nobody tells the Son of God what to do. He chooses to reveal the Father to certain people, and that...

“All things have been committed to me by my Father.” Matthew 11:27 (NIV) It is a fundamental rule of leadership that if you give someone a job, you don’t do it yourself. You may work with that person, but if you have delegated a task to someone, you will not...

Unlocking the Bible

Follow Unlocking the Bible

Get Unlocking the Bible's Weekly Email

"This Week at Unlocking the Bible" features new articles, radio programs, devotionals, and ministry updates

First Name*

Last Name*

Email*

We will never sell or misuse your information.

Share Your Story and Prayer Requests

If you have a testimony or story you would like to share or if you have a prayer request, please use the form below. If you would like someone from our staff to call you, please include your phone number.